Display apparatus and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes a display, an input receiver comprising input receiving circuitry, and a controller. The input receiver receives an input, e.g., a user input. The controller displays a user interface (UI) including a plurality of menu items on the display, performs a function corresponding to a menu item selected based on the input from among the plurality of menu items, determines whether the function has been used based on a type of the function performed, and changes a configuration of the plurality of menu items based on the determination. With this, the display apparatus may provide menu items corresponding to frequently or more used functions to allow a user to easily access thereto, thereby improving user convenience.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0005781, filed on Jan. 13, 2017in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a display apparatus and acontrol method thereof, and for example, to a display apparatus, whichdisplays a plurality of menu items corresponding to functions providableby the display apparatus, and a control method thereof.

Description of Related Art

With technology developments and various user demands, functions fordisplay apparatus are also being diversified. However, a user does notuse all diversified functions for display apparatus, and mainly usesfamiliar functions according to use patterns. In an existing displayapparatus, locations of menu items, which are selected by the user touse required functions, are fixed. Thus, if frequently used menu itemsare located on bottom or in lower layer, the user always requiresseveral troublesome manipulations to perform functions correspondingthereto.

To address such a problem, according to a related art, there has been anattempt to separately provide the frequently used menu items to allowthe user to easily select them, or allow the user to directly add thefrequently used menu items into favorites menu, thereby resolvinginconveniences.

However, such a related art does not take into account whether the userhas actually used corresponding functions and there is inconvenience inthat the user must manually select favorite menu items and add them intothe favorites menu one by one.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments address at least the above problems and/ordisadvantages and other disadvantages not described above.

The example embodiments may provide a display apparatus, which providesmenu items corresponding to frequently or much used functions to allow auser to easily access the times, thereby improving use convenience, anda control method thereof.

According to an aspect of an example embodiment, a display apparatus isprovided, the display apparatus including: a display; an input receivercomprising circuitry configured to receive an input; and a controllerconfigured to display a user interface (UI) including a plurality ofmenu items on the display, to perform a function corresponding to a menuitem selected based on the input from among the plurality of menu items,to determine whether the function has been used based on a performedtype of the function, and to change a configuration of the plurality ofmenu items based on the determination. Accordingly, the displayapparatus may provide menu items corresponding to frequently or muchused functions to allow a user to easily access thereto, therebyimproving use convenience.

The controller may be configured to change the configuration of theplurality of menu items by placing menu items corresponding to functionshaving higher degree of use at a higher location than other menu items.

The UI may include an upper layer comprising a plurality of parent menuitems, and a lower layer comprising a plurality of child menu itemscorresponding to the plurality of parent menu items, respectively.

The controller may be configured to perform a function corresponding toa child menu item selected from among the plurality of child menu items,to determine whether the function has been used based on a performedtype of the function, and to change the configuration of the pluralityof menu items by changing a location of the plurality of parent menuitems in the upper layer based on the determination.

The controller may be configured to perform a function corresponding toa child menu item selected from among the plurality of child menu items,to determine whether the function has been used based on a performedtype of the function and change the configuration of the plurality ofmenu items by placing the selected child menu item in the upper layerbased on the determination.

The controller may be configured to perform a function corresponding toa child menu item selected from among the plurality of child menu items,to determine whether the function has been used based on a performedtype of the function and to change the configuration of the plurality ofmenu items by changing a location of the plurality of child menu itemsin the lower layer based on the determination.

The controller may be configured to determine whether the function hasbeen used based on at least one of a time in which a setting valuechanged based on the performance of the function being maintained, atime, a number of times and a frequency in which the function isperformed.

The controller may be configured to, in response to a setting valuebeing changed based on the performance of the function and determiningthat the function has been used, to display a menu item to which thesetting value is immediately applied.

The controller may be configured to, in response to determining that thefunction has been used with respect to a first content, to change aconfiguration of the plurality of menu items based on a degree to whichthe function is used with respect to the first content and to displaythe changed configuration on the display, when the first content or asecond content related to the first content is provided.

The controller may be configured to determine that the first and thesecond contents are related to each other based on at least one ofgenres, titles, sources and broadcast channels of the first and thesecond contents.

According to an aspect of another example embodiment, a method ofcontrolling a display apparatus is provided, including: receiving aninput; displaying a user interface (UI) comprising a plurality of menuitems; performing a function corresponding to a menu item selectedaccording to the input from among the plurality of menu items;determining whether the function has been used based on a performed typeof the function; and changing a configuration of the plurality of menuitems based on the determination. Accordingly, the display apparatus mayprovide menu items corresponding to frequently or much used functions toallow a user to easily access thereto, thereby improving useconvenience.

The changing may include changing the configuration of the plurality ofmenu items to place menu items corresponding to functions having higherdegree of use at a higher location than other menu items.

The UI may include an upper layer comprising a plurality of parent menuitems, and a lower layer comprising a plurality of child menu itemscorresponding to each of the plurality of parent menu items.

The changing may include performing a function corresponding to a childmenu item selected from among the plurality of child menu items,determining whether the function has been used based on a performed typeof the function, and changing a location of the plurality of parent menuitems in the upper layer based on the determination.

The changing may include performing a function corresponding to a childmenu item selected from among the plurality of child menu items,determining whether the function has been used based on a performed typeof the function, and placing the selected child menu item in the upperlayer based on the determination.

The changing may include performing a function corresponding to a childmenu item selected from among the plurality of child menu items,determining whether the function has been used based on a performed typeof the function, and changing a location of the plurality of child menuitems in the lower layer based on the determination.

The determining may include determining whether the function has beenused based on at least one of a time in which a setting value changedaccording to the performance of the function is maintained, a time, anumber of times and a frequency in which the function is performed.

The method may further include in response to a setting value beingchanged according to the performance of the function and determiningthat the function has been used, displaying a menu item to which thesetting value is immediately applied.

The method may further include, in response to determining that thefunction has been used with respect to a first content, changing aconfiguration of the plurality of menu items based on a degree to whichthe function is used with respect to the first content and display thechanged configuration on the display, when the first content or a secondcontent related to the first content is provided.

The changing and displaying the configuration of the plurality of menuitems may include determining that the first and the second contents arerelated to each other based on at least one of genres, titles, sourcesand broadcast channels of the first and the second contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and attendant advantages of thepresent disclosure will be more apparent and readily appreciated fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example display apparatus accordingto an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example display apparatusaccording to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating example operations in which menu itemsare displayed and a function is performed according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining whether auser has used a function based on a time in which the function isperformed, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining whether theuser has used a function based on a frequency in which the function isperformed, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining whether theuser has used a function based on a time in which a result value basedon the performance of the function is maintained, according to anexample embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining whether theuser has used a function based on the result value based on theperformance of the function, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining whether theuser has used a function with respect to a content being provided,according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining whether theuser has used a function with respect to a specific time, according toan example embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of receiving function-usinginformation of other user to change a configuration of a plurality ofmenu items, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface (UI)according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of providing a settingpreferred by the user as a menu item according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of providing thesetting preferred by the user as the menu item according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing a setting valuewhen a specific content is provided, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing a size and alocation of the menu items based on a degree to which the function isused, according to an example embodiment; and

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of controlling thedisplay apparatus according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, various example embodiments will be described in greaterdetail with reference to accompanying drawings. Elements illustrated inthe accompanying drawings are referred to in the following descriptionsof the example embodiments and for clarity, like reference numerals orsymbols presented in respective drawings denote like elements, whichsubstantially perform the same functions.

In the following description, if terminologies, including an ordinalnumber such as ‘first’, ‘second’ and the like, are used, thoseterminologies are used (unless expressly specified otherwise) merely todescribe various elements. The terminologies are only used for thepurpose of discriminating one element from other elements. In doing so,the various elements should be non-limited by the correspondingterminologies, respectively. The terminologies used in the followingdescription of various example embodiments are for explanation purposeonly and not for the purpose of limiting the example embodiments asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

The present disclosure described below with reference to the exampleembodiments may be applied to a display apparatus, which displays menuitems corresponding to providable functions.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example display apparatus accordingto an example embodiment. The display apparatus 1 according to anexample embodiment may, for example, and without limitation, beimplemented as a television (TV), or the like. As another exampleembodiment, the display apparatus 1 may be materialized by a device forreceiving a network signal to provide contents, such as a smart phone, atablet computer, a mobile phone, a personal computer, a multimediaplayer, an electronic frame, a digital advertising board, a large formatdisplay (LFD), a digital signage, a set-top box, a wearable device, suchas a smart watch or a head-mount display (HMD), a refrigerator, or thelike. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In an example embodiment, the display apparatus 1 displays a userinterface (UI) including a plurality of menu items corresponding toprovidable functions. A priority of the menu items is determined, sothat the more a user uses corresponding functions, the higher it islocated. A menu item having a high priority may be placed at a top ofthe UI or an upper layer of the UI, thereby allowing the user to selectit only with few or little manipulations, but the present disclosure isnot limited thereto. A function use or non-use of the user is determinedbased on types with which the corresponding function is performed. Forexample, the display apparatus 1 may determine whether the user has usedthe corresponding function referencing various function-performingtypes, which include a time in which the function are performed, a timein which a result value based on the performance of the function ismaintained, a degree to which the result value is changed, or the like.For example, if a menu item is selected by the user, but used for a veryshort time, the display apparatus 1 may not determine that the user hasused a corresponding function because there is possibility that the usermay have incorrectly selected it or selected it to move to other lowermenu. If after a menu item is selected by the user, it is used for morethan predetermined time or a result value based on a performance of afunction corresponding thereto is maintained for more than predeterminedtime, the display apparatus 1 may determine that the user has actuallyused the corresponding function. This will be described in greaterdetail below.

Hereinafter, a process of changing a configuration of the UI or theplurality of menu items based on a degree of use for the function willbe described. As an example, functions providable by the displayapparatus 1 may include changing various settings of the displayapparatus 1, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Forexample, the functions may also include providing contents by executingstored applications. The UI may include an upper layer including aplurality of parent menu items 100, and a lower layer including aplurality of child menu items 103 corresponding to the plurality ofparent menu items 100, respectively. If the user selects a menu item 101corresponding, for example, to a color change function in the upperlayer using, for example, a remote control or the like, the displayapparatus 1 displays a plurality of child menu items 103 correspondingto the color change function. Subsequent operations of the color changefunction may include, for example, density adjustment of respectivecolor components in RGB color gamut, background tint adjustment and modesettings, but is not limited thereto. As the user adjusts or manipulatesthe menu items 103 of the lower layer, the display apparatus 1 performsthe color change function.

A reference numeral 110 illustrates a state before the degree of use(hereinafter, also referred to a ‘use level’) for the function ischanged. If it is determined that the color change function is usedbased on the performed type of the function, the display apparatus 1increases a use level of the color change function. The use level may beadditionally increased based on a time and a frequency in which thecolor change function is performed. A reference numeral 111 illustratesa state after the use level of the color change function is increasedbased on the result of determining that the user has used the colorchange function. The display apparatus 1 changes a location ofrespective parent menu items 105 based on the changed user level.

If it is determined that the user does not use the color change functionof the menu item 101, the use level is not changed. The use level of thefunction may be additionally changed based on a number of times, a time,a frequency, etc. in which the function is performed. The use level ofthe function may be reduced if the function is not performed for apredetermined time, and additionally reduced as the non-performed timeis increased.

As the menu item 101 is more frequently or much more used, the colorchange function is placed at the top of the UI, thus the user may selectthe color change function with less manipulations of the UI.

As another example embodiment, the display apparatus 1 may change anorder of the child menu items 103 of the lower layer based on use levelsof the corresponding functions, so that child menu items 103 offrequently used functions are placed at positions adapted to providebetter access for the user, or an order of parent menu items 100 basedon use levels of the functions according to selection for the child menuitems 103 of the lower layer, so that access to the parent menu items100 of frequently used functions is improved. Also, the displayapparatus 1 may place at least a portion of the child menu items 103 onthe upper layer to allow the user to easily access thereto.

As an additional example embodiment, the display apparatus 1 may move atleast one of parent menu items 100 to the lower layer of child menuitems 103 related thereto, taking into account a use pattern of acorresponding function. For example, the user may frequently andcontinuously use more than two functions. For example, the user may usea first function by selecting a first parent menu item 100 in the upperlayer and selecting child menu items 103 in the lower layer, and thenuse a second function by moving to the upper layer again and selecting asecond parent menu item 100. Frequent and continuous use of more thantwo functions requires additional manipulations for movement between theupper layer and the lower layer and selection of different menu items,thereby resulting in user's inconvenience. To address such a user'sinconvenience, if after use of the first function corresponding to thefirst parent menu item, use of the second function corresponding to thesecond parent menu item by re-movement to the upper layer is frequentlyrepeated within a predetermined time, the display apparatus 1 may movethe second parent menu item into the lower layer of the child menu items103 corresponding to the first parent menu item. The second parent menuitem included in the child menu items 103 of the first parent menu itemis removed from of the upper layer of the parent menu items 100, but notlimited thereto. According to example embodiments, the second parentmenu item may remain as a parent menu item of the upper layer to providea link for access to the second parent menu item included in the childmenu items 103 of the first parent menu item. The present exampleembodiment takes into account the use pattern of the functions, therebyimproving user's use convenience.

Although in the example embodiments, as an example of the change inconfiguration of the UI or the plurality of menu items, changing thelocation of the respective menu items based on the use level offunctions has been explained, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example display apparatusaccording to an example embodiment. The display apparatus 1 according toan example embodiment includes a display 203, a user input receiver(e.g., including input receiving circuitry) 205, and a controller (e.g.,including processing circuitry) 211. The display apparatus 1 accordingto an example embodiment may further include at least one of a signalreceiver (e.g., including signal receiving circuitry) 200, a signalprocessor (e.g., including signal processing circuitry) 201, acommunicator (e.g., including communication circuitry) 207 and a storage209. The structure of the display apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 isjust given by way of example, and the display apparatus 1 according toan example embodiment may be materialized to include another element inaddition to the elements illustrated in FIG. 2, or exclude a certainelement from the elements illustrated in FIG. 2.

The signal receiver 200 may include varius signal receiving circuitrythat receives a signal of content from an external. The signal ofcontent may include, for example, a broadcast signal. The signalreceiver 200 may include, for example, a tuner for receiving thebroadcast signal from a broadcast signal transmitting apparatus or arelay equipment for relaying the broadcast signal. The tuner may receivetuning a broadcast signal of any one selected by the user from among aplurality of channels. The signal receiver 200 may also receive thesignal of content from a server via a network.

The display apparatus 1 may be materialized by a mobile device, such asa hand phone, a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), or thelike, but is not limited thereto. If the display apparatus 1 ismaterialized by the mobile device, it may include a mobile communicatorincluding communication circuitry for connecting with an externalapparatus via mobile communication. The mobile communicator communicateswith an external apparatus having more than at least one antenna, andtransmits and received a wireless signal for voice call, video call,text message, or multimedia message.

The signal processor 201 may include various signal processing circuitryand/or program elements and performs an image processing process withrespect to the signal of content received via the signal receiver 200and outputs the processed image signal to the display 203 to display anoutput image on the display 203. The image processing process, which isperformed by the signal processor 201, may include, for example, andwithout limitation, demultiplexing to divide a content signal includingvideo and audio into subordinate streams, which includes an imagesignal, an audio signal and additional data, respectively,de-interlacing to convert an interlace type image signal into aprogressive type image signal, scaling to change the image signal indefinition, noise reduction for enhancing image quality, detailenhancement, frame refresh rate conversion, or the like.

The display 203 displays an image of content based on the signalprocessed by the signal processor 201. Implemented types of the display203 are not limited, and the display 203 may be implemented in variousdisplay ways, for example, and without limitation, such as liquidcrystal display (LCD), plasma display panel (PDP), light-emitting diode(LED) display, organic light emitting diodes (OLED) display,surface-conduction electron-emitter, carbon nano-tube, nano-crystaldisplay, or the like.

If the display 203 is a LCD type, it includes a LCD panel, a backlightunit to supply light to the LCD panel, a panel driving board to drivethe LCD panel, etc. The display 203 may be also implemented as an OLEDpanel, which is a spontaneous emission element, without the backlightunit.

The communicator 207 may include various communication circuitry, suchas, for example, and without limitation, a connecting part for wiredcommunication. The connecting part may transmit/receive signals/databased on standards, such as, for example, and without limitation, highdefinition multimedia interface (HDMI), HDMI-consumer electronicscontrol (CEC), universal serial bus (USB), component and so on, andinclude more than at least one connector or terminal corresponding tothe standards, respectively. The communicator 207 may communicate bywire with a plurality of servers via wired local area network (LAN).

The communicator 207 may include various other communication circuitryother than the connecting part including the connector or terminals forwired connection. For example, and without limitation, the communicationcircuitry of the communicator 207 may perform wireless communication,wireless short-range communication or the like via wireless LAN. Thecommunicator 207 may include a radio frequency (RF) circuit fortransmitting and receiving a RF signal to perform wireless communicationwith the external apparatus and may be configured to performcommunication via at least one from among wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi),Bluetooth, Zigbee, ultra-wide band (UWB), wireless USB, near fieldcommunication (NFC) and infrared data association (IrDA).

The storage 209 is configured to store various data of the displayapparatus 1. The storage 209 may be materialized by a non-volatilememory, such as a flash memory, an EPROM, an EEPROM, etc. The storage209 may be further provided with a volatile memory, such as a DRAM or aSRAM, which has a reading or writing speed faster than the non-volatilememory. As an example, the storage 209 may store information about thefunctions and use levels of the functions used by the user.

The user input receiver 205 may include various input circuitry andreceives an input, e.g., a user input, to transmit to the controller211. The user input receiver 205 may be implemented in various typesbased on the types of manipulation performed by the user. For example,the user input receiver 205 may be implemented by a menu buttoninstalled on an outer side of the display apparatus 1, a remote controlsignal receiver to receive a remote control signal corresponding to auser input received from a remote controller 10 (hereinafter, alsoreferred to a ‘remocon’), a touch screen provided in the display 203 toreceive a touch input of the user, a camera to detect a gesture input ofthe user, a microphone to recognize a voice input of the user, a sensorto detect a movement or motion of the user, or the like, but is notlimited thereto. As an example, the user input includes an input toselect one from among a plurality of menu items (100 and 103 in FIG. 1)in the UI, and an input to instruct performance of functions.

The controller 211 may include various processing circuitry and performscontrols needed for operating all the elements of the display apparatus1. The controller 211 may include a control program for controlling toperform the control operations, a non-volatile memory in which thecontrol program is installed, a volatile memory in which at least one ofthe control program is loaded, and at least one microprocessor orcentral processing unit (CPU) for executing the loaded control program.The control program may include a program (or programs) which isimplemented in the form of at least one of a BIOS, a device driver, anoperating system, a firmware, a platform, and an application program(application). As an example embodiment, the application program may beinstalled or stored in advance in the display apparatus 1 inmanufacturing, or installed in the display apparatus 1 based data forthe application received from the external in use. The data for theapplication program may be downloaded to the display apparatus 1 from anexternal server, such as, for example, an application market or thelike. The signal processor 201 and the controller 211 may be implementedby individual processors, respectively, or a single processor in whichtwo constructions thereof are integrated. A processor corresponding tothe controller 211 may be implemented to perform at least a portion of afunction of the signal processor 201 or vice versa.

As an example embodiment, the controller 211 displays changing aconfiguration of the UI including the plurality of menu items 100 toallow the user to more easily select frequently used menu items. Thecontroller 211 performs functions based on user inputs for selectingmenu items and user inputs for instructing performance of functions, anddetermines whether the user has used the functions based on types inwhich the functions are performed. If it is determined that the user hasused the functions, the controller 211 controls the display 203 torearrange the menu items, so that the higher use levels of correspondingfunctions are located higher in the UI or placed in the upper layerrather than the lower layer of the UI, and to display the UI in whichthe menu items are rearranged.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating example operations in which menu itemsare displayed and a function is performed according to an exampleembodiment.

A reference numeral 300 illustrates an operation of selecting a UIincluding a plurality of menu items 100 and a menu item 101 from amongthe plurality of menu items 100. If a menu item 101 corresponding to amenu size/location change function is selected from among the pluralityof parent menu items 100, the display apparatus 1 displays a pluralityof child menu items 103 of a lower layer corresponding to the selectedparent menu item 101. A reference numeral 301 illustrates an operationin which the function is performed based on an input of the user as aperformance initiating operation. In this operation, the user selects amenu item 302 for adjusting a horizontal position of menu from among theplurality of child menu items 103 and manipulates a UI 307 displayed ona screen to change the horizontal position of menu. A reference numeral303 illustrates an operation in which the function performance iscompleted. However, according to example embodiments, a screen forguiding that the function performance is completed may be omitted. Areference numeral 305 illustrates an operation in which after thefunction performance is completed, a result of the function performanceis applied to the display apparatus 1. In the example embodiment, thedisplay apparatus 1 displays the UI in which the horizontal position ismoved.

Hereinafter, an example embodiment in which the display apparatus 1determines whether the user has used a function based onfunction-performing types will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are diagrams illustratingexample function-performing types of the display apparatus 1 over time.In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a plurality of time points includes t0, t1, t2, andt3, which correspond to operations performing the function in FIG. 3,respectively. The time point t0 is a time point where a menu screen isselected for the function performance at the reference numeral 300 inFIG. 3. The time point tl is a time point where the function performancebegins at the reference numeral 301 in FIG. 3. The time point t2 is atime point where the function performance is completed at the referencenumeral 303 in FIG. 3. The time point t3 is a time point where after thefunction performance is completed, a result of the function performanceis applied. If the function is changing settings for the displayapparatus, changed setting value is applied at this section. Accordingto example embodiments, the time point t2 may be omitted or may be thesame time point as the time point t3.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining whether theuser has used a function based on a time in which the function isperformed according to an example embodiment. A reference numeral 400 isa graph showing whether the function performance time passes a criticaltime tcrit. At a time point to, a menu item (101 in FIG. 3) is selected,and at a time point tl, a function performance begins. The controller211 determines whether the user has used the function based on whetherthe critical time tcrit elapses. For example, if a function performance401 begins at a time point tl and is completed at a time point t2 aafter the critical time tcrit has passed, the controller 211 determinesthat the user has used the function based on a type in which thefunction is performed. If a function performance 403 begins at the timepoint tl and is completed at a time point t2 b before the critical timetcrit elapses, the controller 211 determines that the user has not usedthe function based on a type in which the function is performed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining whether theuser has used a function based on a frequency in which the function isperformed, according to an example embodiment. A reference numeral 500is a graph showing a number of times the function is performed. At atime point t0, a menu item (101 in FIG. 3) is selected, and at a timepoint tl, the function is performed. The controller 211 determineswhether a number of times per unit time, e.g., a frequency at which thefunction performance 501 occurs is equal to or more than a predeterminedcritical value. As an example, the controller 211 may determine thenumber of times in which the function is performed from a number oftimes per unit time in which the menu item 101 is selected and a userinput for instructing the function performance is received. As anotherexample, the controller 211 may determine the frequency at which thefunction is performed from a number of times in which a specific menuitem 101 or a specific menu item 302 of the lower layer is selected.

If the frequency at which the function is performed is equal to or morethan the predetermined critical value, the controller 211 may determinethat the user has used the function. If an input for manipulating the UI(307 in FIG. 3) to adjust the horizontal position of menu is receivedmore than a predetermined frequency, the controller 211 may determinethat the user has used the function.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining whether theuser has used a function based on a time in which a result value basedon the function performance is maintained, according to an exampleembodiment. A reference numeral 600 is a graph showing whether the timein which after the function is performed, the result value is maintainedpasses a predetermined critical time tcrit. At a time point to, a menuitem (101 in FIG. 3) is selected, at a time point t1, the function isperformed, and at a time point t2, the function performance iscompleted. After the function performance is completed, performedresults are applied at a time point t3. As described above, thecompletion and application of the function performance may be carriedout at the same time.

The controller 211 determines whether the user has used the functionbased on whether after the function performance is completed, the resultvalue is maintained over the predetermined critical time tcrit. Forexample, if a setting value of the display apparatus 1 is changedaccording to the function performance and the changed setting value ismaintained from a time point t2 in which the function performance iscompleted or a time point t3 in which the performance result is appliedto a time point t4 a in which the predetermined critical time tcritelapses (601), the controller 211 may determine that the user has usedthe function. If after the setting value of the display apparatus 1 ischanged, the changed setting value is reinstated or newly changedbetween the time point t2 in which the function performance is completedor the time point t3 in which the performance result is applied and atime point t4 b before the predetermined critical time tcrit elapses(603), the controller 211 may determine that the user has not used thefunction even if the function such as the change of the setting valuehas been performed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining whether theuser has used a function based on result values generated as a result ofthe performance of the function, according to an example embodiment. Thecontroller 211 may determine whether the user has used the functionbased on the results based on the performance of the function. Forexample, when various setting values, such as a brightness, a clarity, aresolution and the like are changed according to the performance of thefunction, the controller 211 may determine that the user has used thefunction if the setting values are changed out of corresponding criticallevels (703). If the setting values are changed without exceeding thecorresponding critical levels (701), the controller 211 may determinethat the user has not used the function even if the function has beenperformed. The critical levels are set to have a given difference invalue from the current setting values.

As described above, the controller 211 determines whether the user hasused the function based on the performed type of the function and if itis determined that the user has used the function, changes the use levelof the function as in reference numerals 100 and 111 of FIG. 1. Thecontroller 211 changes the configuration of the UI or the plurality ofmenu items 100, 103 and 105 by rearranging the menu items 100, 103 and105 or the like, based on the changed use level of the function.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining whether theuser has used a function with respect to a content being providing,according to an example embodiment.

If the function is performed while a first content is displayed, thecontroller 211 determines whether the user has used the function withrespect to the first content. The controller 211 may determine whetherthe user has used the function with respect to the first content basedon a percentage of a time in which the function is performed from amonga time in which the first content is provided, a percentage of a time inwhich setting values changed according to the performance of thefunction are maintained while the first content is provided, arestoration or non-restoration of the setting values within apredetermined time after the first content is finished, etc.

If it is determined that the user has used the function with respect tothe first content, the controller 211 may change the configuration ofthe plurality of menu items based on a use level of the function usedwith respect to the first content, and when the first content isprovided, displays a UI including the plurality of menu items of whichthe configuration is changed.

When a second content related to the first content is provided, thecontroller 211 may provide the UI having the changed configuration basedon the use level of the function used with respect to the first content.To determine that the second content and the first content are relatedto each other, the controller 211 may compare information 800 about thefirst content and information 803 about the second content with eachother. The information may be obtained from metadata, an electronicprogram guide, or the like. The information includes various informationrelated to the first and second contents, such as content titles, kinds801 and 805, genres, sources, providing times, content descriptions,preview images, etc. When the second content, which is the same soapopera 801 and 805 as the first content, is provided, the controller 211displays a UI of which the configuration is changed based on the uselevel of the function used with respect to the first content.

As another example, if it is determined that a function has been usedwhen the first content is provided, the controller 211 records andchanges use levels of the function to all items of the information 800about the first content, and changes a configuration of the UI or theplurality of menu items based on the use levels of the function. If itis determined that at least a portion of items of the information 803about the second content is equal to the items of the information 800about the first content of which the use levels are record, thecontroller 211 provides the UI having the changed configuration.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining whether theuser has used a function with respect to a specific time according to anexample embodiment.

If it is determined that the user has used the function, the controller211 may determine whether the function is used with respect to aspecific time. This may be determined based on types in which thefunction is performed, such as using the function more than apredetermined number of times at the specific time, maintaining settingvalues changed according to the performance of the function only for atime close to the specific time, or the like.

If it is determined that the user has used the function with respect tothe specific time, the controller 211 may change the configuration ofthe plurality of menu items based on the use level of the function. Whenit comes to the specific time again, the controller 211 displays a UIincluding the plurality of menu items of which the configuration ischanged.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of receiving function-usinginformation of other users to change the configuration of the pluralityof menu items according to an example embodiment.

The display apparatus 1 may further include a communicator 207comprising various communication circuitry for communication. If thefunction-using information of the other users is received from otherdisplay apparatuses through the communicator 207, the controller 211further changes the configuration of the plurality of menu items,further based on the function-using information of the other users. Thefunction-using information of the other users may be received directlyor via an external server from other display apparatuses 2, 3, and 4.The external server may transmit to the display apparatus 1, analysisinformation based on the function-using information of the other users.For example, the external server may provide information adapted to theuser of the display apparatus 1 using information about, for example,and without limitation, ages, regions, interests and the like of theother users. The controller 211 may change a use level of the functionusing the function-using information of the other users. A percentagewhere the controller 211 refers to the function-using information of theother users in changing the use level of the function may be variedbased on a selection of the user or the like. A reference numeral 1000illustrates an example of a UI including a plurality of menu items ofwhich the configuration is changed using the function-using informationof the other users.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the UI according to anexample embodiment.

The controller 211 displays a UI including a plurality of menu items1100 before locations thereof are changed according the selection of theuser, or a plurality of menu items 1105 arranged according to the uselevel of the function. If a first tap 1101 is selected, the controller211 may display the plurality of menu items 1100 before the locationsthereof are changed, and if a second tap 1103 is selected, thecontroller 211 may display the plurality of menu items 1105 rearrangedaccording to the use level of the function. The second tap 1103 mayconfigured to display merely the plurality of rearranged menu items 1100corresponding to the first tap 1100 based on an order of priority, orselecting a portion with high use level among the menu items of thelower layer.

As another example embodiment, if while the plurality of menu items 1100before the locations thereof are changed is displayed, a user input forarranging the plurality of menu items 1100 is received, the controller211 displays arranging the plurality of menu items 1100 based on the uselevel of the function. The controller 211 may display the plurality ofmenu items 1105 selected based on the use level of the function based onthe user input. The UI may further include a button for arranging theplurality of menu items 1100.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating examples of providing settingspreferred by the user as menu items according to an example embodiment.

If it is determined that setting values of the display apparatus 1 arechanged as a result of the performance of the function and the changedsetting values are preferred by the user, the controller 211 may providea favorite item 1201 or 1300 corresponding to the changed settingvalues, so that the display apparatus 1 can be easily set to the changedsetting values later. A preference or non-preference of the user to thechanged setting values may be determined based on a frequency where asetting value is changed, a time in which a setting value is changed andmaintained, a level to which a setting value is changed, and so on. Forexample, if the user sets a first setting value and changes the firstsetting value to a second setting value after a predetermined timeelapses, the controller 211 may provide the first setting value as thefavorite item 1201 or 1300.

The favorite item 1201 or 1300 may include various setting values of thedisplay apparatus 1. The favorite item 1201 or 1300 may be, for example,incorporated in a lower layer 1200 displayed based on a selection of aspecific parent menu item 101, or provided as a separate menu item 1300.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing a setting valuewhen a specific content is provided according to an example embodiment.

The controller 211 may determine a setting value as a favorite settingvalue for a specific content based on whether the user changes/maintainsthe setting value at the specific content. If the specific content isprovided, the controller 211 provides a favorite item 1201 or 1300 toallow the user to easily select the favorite setting value, or changesthe setting value to the favorite setting value. For example, if a Bmode is determined as a favorite setting value for an A content, asillustrated in the drawing, the controller 211 may, when the A contentis provided again, guide that the A content is provided (1400) andrequest an approval with respect to whether to change the mode orsetting to the B mode (1401).

As another example, when a second content related to a first content isprovided, the controller 211 may provide as a favorite item 1201 or1300, a setting value determined as a favorite setting value for thefirst content, or change the setting to the favorite setting value forthe first content. A relevance between the first content and the secondcontent information may be determined referring to metadata or anelectronic program guide, as described above. For example, if a B modeis determined as a favorite setting value for an A content, thecontroller 211 may, when a B content determined as being related to theA content based on genres, grades and the like is provided, seek anapproval with respect to whether to change the setting to the B mode.

The controller 211 may determine a setting value as a favorite settingvalue for a specific time zone based on whether the userchanges/maintains the setting value at the specific time zone, as wellas the content. When it comes to the specific time zone, the controller211 provides a preferred item 1201 or 1300 or changes the setting valueto the favorite setting value. For example, if it is determined that theuser prefers to lower a brightness and an audio volume in a late eveningtime, the controller 211 may lower the brightness and the audio volumeevery late evening time.

As additional example embodiment, the display apparatus 1 may furtherinclude a camera to detect a watching location of the user and a numberof the user. The controller 211 may determine a favorite setting valueof the user according the watching location or the number of the userdetected through the camera. For example, the user may prefer to lowerthe brightness and the audio volume within a predetermined distance andto change the mode to a sport mode and increase the audio volume whenthe number of the user is more than a given number. If a predeterminedwatching location and a predetermined number of the user are satisfied,the controller 211 may provide a favorite item 1201 or 1300 or changethe setting value to a favorite setting value.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing a size and alocation of the menu items based on a degree in which the function isused, according to an example embodiment.

A remote controller 10 may select any one of a plurality of menu items1500 by pointing at it. In this case, to allow the user to easily selectmenu items of frequently used functions, the controller 211 changes thesize and the location of the menu items 1500 based on the degree inwhich the function is used, thereby changing a configuration of theplurality of menu items 1500.

The change of the configuration of the plurality of menu items 1500 isnot limited to the explanations and the example embodiments, asdescribed above. According to example embodiments, the controller 211may change a color of the menu items 1500 or provide the menu items 1500as pop-up items, thereby allowing the user to easily select menu itemsof frequently or much used functions, or the like.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of controlling thedisplay apparatus according to an example embodiment.

At an operation S1600, the user input receiver 205 receives a userinput. At an operation S1601, the controller 211 displays a UI includinga plurality of menu items on the display 203. At an operation S1602, thecontroller 211 may perform a function corresponding to a menu itemselected based on the user input from among the plurality of menu items.At an operation S1603, the controller 211 determines whether the userhas used the function based on a type of the function performed. At anoperation S1604, the controller 211 changes a configuration of theplurality of menu items based the determined result.

Moreover, in the control method of the display apparatus 1 illustratedin FIG. 16, the configuration of the display apparatus 1 explained withreference to FIGS. 1 to 15 may be applied in the same or similar manner.

As described above, according to the example embodiments, the displayapparatus may provide the menu items corresponding to the frequently orprimarily used functions to allow the user to easily access thereto,thereby improving the use convenience.

While various example embodiments have been illustrated and describedwith reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a display; aninput receiver comprising input receiving circuitry configured toreceive an input; and a controller configured to: display a userinterface (UI) including a plurality of menu items on the display;perform a function corresponding to a menu item selected based on theinput from among the plurality of menu items; determine whether thefunction has been used based on a type of the function performed; andchange a configuration of the plurality of menu items based on thedetermination.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to change the configuration of the plurality ofmenu items by placing menu items corresponding to functions havinghigher degree of use at a location higher than other menu items.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the UI comprises: a upper layercomprising a plurality of parent menu items; and a lower layercomprising a plurality of child menu items corresponding to theplurality of parent menu items, respectively.
 4. The apparatus accordingto claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to: perform a functioncorresponding to a child menu item selected from among the plurality ofchild menu items; determine whether the function has been used based ona type of the function performed; and change the configuration of theplurality of menu items by changing a location of the plurality ofparent menu items in the upper layer based on the determination.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to:perform a function corresponding to a child menu item selected fromamong the plurality of child menu items; determine whether the functionhas been used based on a type of the function performed; and change theconfiguration of the plurality of menu items by arranging the selectedchild menu item in the upper layer based on the determination.
 6. Theapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to:perform a function corresponding to a child menu item selected fromamong the plurality of child menu items; determine whether the functionhas been used based on a type of the function performed; and change theconfiguration of the plurality of menu items by changing a location ofthe plurality of child menu items in the lower layer based on thedetermination.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to determine whether the function has been usedbased on at least one of: a time in which a setting value changed basedon the performance of the function is maintained, a time, a number oftimes and a frequency at which the function is performed.
 8. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured todisplay a menu item to which a changed setting value is immediatelyapplied in response to a setting value being changed based on theperformance of the function and determining that the function has beenused.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to change a configuration of the plurality of menu itemsbased on a degree to which the function is used with respect to thefirst content in response to determining that the function has been usedwith respect to a first content, and to display the changedconfiguration on the display when the first content or a second contentrelated to the first content is provided.
 10. The apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein the controller is configured to determine that thefirst and the second contents are related to each other based on atleast one of: genres, titles, sources and broadcast channels of thefirst and the second contents.
 11. A method of controlling a displayapparatus comprising: receiving an input; displaying a user interface(UI) comprising a plurality of menu items; performing a functioncorresponding to a menu item selected based on the input from among theplurality of menu items; determining whether the function has been usedbased on a type of the function performed; and changing a configurationof the plurality of menu items based on the determination.
 12. Themethod according to claim 11, wherein the changing comprises changingthe configuration of the plurality of menu items to locate menu itemscorresponding to functions having a higher degree of use higher thanother menu items.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the UIcomprises: an upper layer comprising a plurality of parent menu items;and a lower layer comprising a plurality of child menu itemscorresponding to the plurality of parent menu items, respectively. 14.The method according to claim 13, wherein the changing comprises:performing a function corresponding to a child menu item selected fromamong the plurality of child menu items; determining whether thefunction has been used based on a type of the function performed; andchanging a location of the plurality of parent menu items in the upperlayer based on the determination.
 15. The method according to claim 13,wherein the changing comprises: performing a function corresponding to achild menu item selected from among the plurality of child menu items;determining whether the function has been used based on a type of thefunction performed; and arranging the selected child menu item in theupper layer based on the determination.
 16. The method according toclaim 13, wherein the changing comprises: performing a functioncorresponding to a child menu item selected from among the plurality ofchild menu items; determining whether the function has been used basedon a type of the function performed; and changing a location of theplurality of child menu items in the lower layer based on thedetermination.
 17. The method according to claim 11, wherein thedetermining comprises determining whether the function has been usedbased on at least one of: a time in which a setting value changed basedon the performance of the function is maintained, a time, a number oftimes and a frequency at which the function is performed.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 11, further comprising: displaying a menu item towhich a setting value is immediately applied in response to the settingvalue being changed based on the performance of the function anddetermining that the function has been used.
 19. The method according toclaim 11, further comprising: changing a configuration of the pluralityof menu items based on a degree to which the function is used withrespect to the first content in response to determining that thefunction has been used with respect to a first content, and displayingthe changed configuration on the display when the first content or asecond content related to the first content is provided.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 19, wherein the changing and displaying theconfiguration of the plurality of menu items comprises determining thatthe first and the second contents are related to each other based on atleast one of: genres, titles, sources and broadcast channels of thefirst and the second contents.